1990 dynasty boat with 3.0 mercury mercruiser. Engine won't go into gear.

[mclark1989]

Hey I have a Mercury Mercruiser 3.0 130 H/P I/O engine. I have recently had to replace the hermonic balancer. After my brother took it out he did hit about 6 sandbars bottomed the boat out getting it stuck. I'm completely new and dumb when it comes to machinical work. Okay my question is after replacing the hermonic balancer i started the engine it went into to hear at first then made a squeal noise and now it won't go into to hear not does it suck water. Please help me willing to try anything but again I will need good detail on how to check things being in completely noob to mechanics and boats in general. Thanks in advance for any help. Mike

 

[stonyloam]

If it is not sucking water, and will not move, sounds like you may have taken out the coupler.

 

[mclark1989]

Well is there any way to test it without taking the stern apart? Also I was told to put it in gear (with engine off) and if I could spin the prop that is a good thing doesn't spin freely but I can turn it in drive and reverse. Also I say it's in gear but doesn't make any noise and it use to pop or click when it went into gear.

 

[wahlejim]

You should not be able to spin the prop in both directions when the boat is in gear. Something is not engaging in the outdrive. If you absolutely do not want to take the outdrive off, change the lower end fluid and see if anything other than oil comes out. Check your shifting cable and make sure that is still attached and functional. Just a couple of ideas to get going.

 

[Rick Stephens]

Need to pull the outdrive and start inspecting. There are a bunch of good videos in the DIY posts at the top of the forum. Pulling and inspecting is either something you need to learn or pay at least once a year to have done for you.